Manager, Strategic Sourcing & Supplier Quality

Who we are Neros is a defense technology company rebuilding America’s drone industrial base. We design and manufacture high-performance unmanned systems that are tested in combat, iterated at startup speed, and built at massive scale. Our team culture is fast, hands-on, and obsessed with closing the gap between design and deployment. As drones transform the character of warfare, Neros is delivering the systems the West needs to compete on the modern battlefield and deter the adversaries of democracy. We’re hiring engineers, operators, and builders who want to move fast, take on extreme ownership, and get capability into the hands of warfighters in months, not years. What you will be doing Neros is seeking a Manager, Strategic Sourcing & Supplier Quality to build and lead the integrated sourcing and supplier quality function for our growing supply base. This role will own category strategy, supplier relationships, supplier qualification, supplier quality performance, and cross-functional alignment from supplier selection through delivery. The ideal candidate combines strategic sourcing expertise with hands-on supplier quality leadership and can help Neros scale production while reducing supplier-driven risk. Responsibilities: • Lead category strategy development, identify emerging supplier risks and opportunities, and shape long-term supply plans across critical categories. • Build and manage high-performing supplier relationships that support quality, delivery, compliance, cost, and strategic alignment with Neros’ business goals. • Lead, mentor, and grow a team of supplier quality engineers responsible for supplier qualification, audits, corrective actions, acceptance criteria, and supplier performance. • Own supplier scorecards, business reviews, quality KPIs, corrective action cycle times, supplier audits, and performance improvement initiatives. • Partner cross-functionally with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Finance, regional supply chain teams, and GSMs across Air, Ground, and EE categories. • Champion risk mitigation through proactive planning, dual-sourcing, supply continuity planning, and effective commercial negotiations. You should have the following • Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, Operations, or a related technical field • 10+ years of experience in sourcing, procurement, supplier quality, supply chain, manufacturing operations, or a related function • Demonstrated experience leading supplier management, strategic sourcing, contract management, negotiations, and category strategy development • Hands-on experience with supplier qualification, supplier audits, corrective actions, root-cause analysis, supplier scorecards, and quality KPI ownership • Experience building or leading supplier quality engineering teams, including mentoring senior individual contributors and driving accountability across suppliers • Strong understanding of manufactured components, assemblies, inspection protocols, acceptance criteria, and supplier performance management • Proven ability to partner with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Finance, and procurement/GSM teams in a fast-paced production environment • Experience driving supply continuity, dual-sourcing, cost reduction, quality improvement, and risk mitigation across a complex supplier base • Strong analytical, communication, and executive-facing business review skills • Ability to operate with urgency, handle ambiguity, and make practical tradeoffs across cost, schedule, quality, and risk Nice to Have • Experience in aerospace, defense, robotics, drones, electronics, automotive, hardware, or other high-reliability manufacturing environments • Experience working with PCBA, mechanical, electromechanical, RF, airframe, propulsion, or ground systems suppliers • Experience scaling supplier quality and sourcing processes in a startup or high-growth manufacturing company • Familiarity with ASL processes, first article inspection, APQP/PPAP-style methods, ISO/AS9100 environments, or lean/six sigma practices • Prior experience managing international suppliers, including APAC-based supplier quality or sourcing activities US Salary Range $170,500 – $238,500 USD The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors, inclusive of base salary only. Actual salary may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and/or training, critical skills, and/or business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are considered part of Neros' total compensation package. We’re an equal opportunity employer. We welcome all applicants without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.